Chang Ai [ENG] [zukaang/ zuko x aang fanfic]

Chapter XII: The Western Air Temple

At the end, the invasion turned out to be a total failure. The exhausted and reduced invading force had no choice but to surrender and be captured, Aang sat on the back of the saddle, staring through the clouds with tears in his eyes, he felt bad about having to leave the invading forces behind, but, on the other side, Hakoda was right, they should hide in a safe place so that Aang could get ready to defeat the Fire Lord when the time came. While they were flying, Aang could see a shadow approaching towards them, it seemed to be a Fire Nation war balloon, for a second he start to think that someone was following them to attack them but then he concluded that perhaps it could be Zuko, he was not sure if it was him, the balloon was flying several meters away.

After flying for a long time, the group landed in an open field, Appa was exhausted, the hot sun beating down on them as they continued on their way on foot.

"This is embarrassing" Katara commented.

"What's embarrassing? that our butts get completely kicked by the Fire Nation or having to walk all the way to the Western Air Temple?" Sokka asked.

"Both" she replied.

The group continued their journey with their heads down wondering what the adults were doing at the time, probably heading to a Fire Nation prison or something similar. None of them noticed the small red dot that followed them high in the clouds.

"Okay, guys, we're here!" Toph exclaimed near a cliff.

"Are you sure? there's nothing here" Sokka said looking out over the vast plain.

"Wow, that's amazing!" she continued.

"You're right!" Aang said running towards a small stone post "we're here! everyone comes closer!" the others ran and stood on an intricate stone floor of some unknown origin. Aang created a current of air towards an opening in the post and the floor began to slowly fall towards a cavern "welcome to the Western Air Temple"

Meanwhile, Zuko, who had been following the Avatar Team from the invasion on their war balloon, arrives first and descends to the Western Air Temple with a rope. Walking around, he remembered the last time he had been there and that had happened a week after his banishment.

*Flashback*

The banished prince, with a fresh burn on his face and a single eye bandaged was in the Western Air Temple with his uncle standing in one of the temple halls staring at the horizon. Iroh was standing behind him.

"What a dazzling sight" Iroh commented.

"The only sight I'm interested in seeing is the Avatar in chains" Zuko said without even looking at him.

"You know? the Avatar has not been seen in a hundred years" the old man told him "the chances of finding him here are very slim"

"First, we will explore each of the Air Temples. Then we will travel atound the world, looking even the most remote places until we find it."

"Prince Zuko, it's only been a week since your banishment. You should take some time to heal your wound and rest" Iroh suggested, lately he had seen his nephew tired and completely obsessed with his purpose of finding the Avatar to bring him to his father and that was not good for his health. Instead of listening to his uncle and doing what he suggested, Zuko turned to glare him.

"What else would I expect to hear from the laziest man in the Fire Nation?" the young banished prince yelled, Iroh just sighed, there was no point trying to reason with him, Zuko stopped looking at his uncle and looked back at the horizon "the only way to regain my honor is by finding the Avatar and that's what I will do"